Philadelphia Nesties
tracyd21
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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hospital bag questions
Naturally the search feature is not working 
I am starting to thinking about getting my hospital bag packed - or at least making a list of things I need. I have generic lists from several places - but many of them have soooooo much stuff listed. I don't want to overpack. I am delivering within the Main Line Health System if that makes a difference.
What things did you find particularly useful that you packed or wish you had packed?
What did you pack that was a waste of space?
What did your SO need?
Nursing essentials?
Clothing for yourself?
Besides a carseat and an outfit, do I need anything else for the kid?
Re: hospital bag questions
I delivered at Bryn Mawr, I was supposed to deliver at the Birth Center, but I had two lists in case I did transfer
What things did you find particularly useful that you packed or wish you had packed? yoga pants. I wore the hell out of them and walked as much as I could after my c-section, dry shampoo in case you can't shower, it helped me feel human
What did you pack that was a waste of space? the boppy. with the mechanical bed I didn't need it.
What did your SO need? my computer
Nursing essentials? nothing, unless there is a specific brand of something you want, the hospital really helped me, the lactation consultant was a nut
Clothing for yourself? see above
Besides a carseat and an outfit, do I need anything else for the kid? we brought cloth diapers since they were fine with it.
You're getting so close!
Things I was glad I had: my Boppy pillow, some of my own clothes, pj's, and robe. Nursing bras, slipper socks or flip flops. (My feet and ankles were so swollen I could barely squeeze into my shoes.)
For the dude: overnight bag w/ clothes,undies, toiletries. For the babe: newborn clothes. I thought 0-3 would work on my big baby and they were even too big for her. I was glad to have our nice swaddling blankets and some sleepers. A video camera and baby book was good to have too.
Things to leave home: underwear, pads, diapers, breast pump and nursing supplies. You'll get all of that there.
Don't forget cell phone/camera chargers. I've also heard of people bringing iPods if that if your thing.
Congrats that you are almost there! Sorry this is a tad long:
What I didn't think of - I delivered at Paoli and they had a photographer come around and do family and baby photos. Neither DH or I had anything really great to wear (we were both basically in sweats), so I wish I had at least had a nice top for each of us for those pictures. Similiarly, I wish I had had a cute hat or bow or something for them to put on DD for the pictures. That all being said, the pictures still came out great crappy clothes and all.
For my DH - he was running back and forth between home and the hospital, but he had a change of clothes and his toothbrush with him. We had our laptop there, which was super convenient. Don't forget all your assorted chargers-phone, camera, laptop, etc.
I really didn't have much else with me. I went into labor 2 weeks early and stupidly had nothing packed because I think I was in a bit of denial still at that point. I survived with very little. I had comfy yoga pants and some tank tops with open sweatshirts. I slept in the hospital gown, opened in the FRONT, because it was super easy to nurse that way. I lived in 1 pair of flip flops even though it was November bc I was so swollen they were the only thing that fit. I had my own shampoo, soap, toothbrush, hair stuff, etc with me. I didn't have nipple cream with me, but the nurse brought me samples as soon as I asked. I definitely needed that.
For DD - all we really needed was the car seat, her going home outfit and the car seat cover thing bc it was cold. Otherwise the hospital had everything we needed. And we took all the supplies out of the room when we left.
One word of advice ... my labor went SUPER fast (as in I came pretty close to having my little munchkin in the doctor's office next to the hospital). With the way things happened, we rushed into the doctor's office leaving the bags in the car (this is bc they sent us home from the hospital like 2 hours prior and no one seemed to really think I was in labor even though I ended up being 5 cm dilated, anyhoo) and we were immediately sent in a wheelchair to the hospital where I had my DD within an hour. That being said, our nice, fancy camera was in our trunk for the delivery. The only pictures we have from right after her birth we on our cell phones. So ... I wish I had forced my husband to strap the camera bag to him while we were running around that morning so we would have had it with us no matter what.
You are getting really close!
I'm no help in this department...I was unprepared for my early labor so the only things I took were a granola bar and fuzzy socks. The warm socks were great during labor b/c the room was so cold!
I was so glad that I had flip flops (ditto pp on feet being so darn swollen!), my computer (I watched movies on it while up at odd hours nursing, etc.), the boppy (having an emergency c-section, I found it particularly helpful even for me to help me get semi-comfortable to rest a little- it gave me some support if I kind of wrapped it around my belly like an inntertube, as strange as I'm sure it looked).
For DD, I didn't know what we were having, but I had a going-home outfit packed for either boy or girl...once we knew she was a she, people brought us some outfits, which was great- because the hospital had a photographer who came around and did photos, so we used a few things to get some cute shots...so if you know what you are having, I'd suggest bringing a couple of outfits you'd like included if your hospital does photos for newborns...or if you don't know, maybe designate someone to be the person who runs out to get some stuff once you do know.
I know some people buy cute nightgowns and outfits to wear after giving birth, but I just stayed in the hospital gown most of the time...people were in and out so much doing blood pressure checks, checking my incision, etc. I did have a pair of yoga pants I threw on when guests would come, and a nursing tank I wound up wearing the last day or so...but I just figured the gown was easiest given the frequent body checks I had to have.
Oh! I had packed a little sample thing of some nice smelling shampoo...it sounds silly but I felt 100% better getting to use that instead of the industrial smelling stuff the hospital had- I felt human when my hair smelled non-surgical again. And one last thing- when I went into labor, I had a hair rubber band type thing but ended up calling my sister to run me over an elastic headband to keep hair off my face. Silly as that sounds, it made a world of difference to have something keeping those strands back too.
Plan to pack for a c-section. I assumed (like an ass) that I would have a vaginal delivery and ended up having a c-section. I had only packed thinking I would be spending two days in the hospital vs. the 5 I actually spent there. Luckily, we lived 5 minutes from the hospital so it was NBD to send Mr.D to grab stuff, but I'm not sure how far you live from your hospital.
After the first day, I mostly wore my yoga pants and a tank or loose v-neck. Helped me feel normal. I might as well have just sat around topless for all the BF attempts and how many nurses and LCs were touching my boobs. Also, Motherlove Nipple Cream will be your best friend. MUCH better than the Lansinoh. Because of my incision, I just wore the mesh underwear the hospital provided.
I suggest bringing your pump but leave it in the car. We had really bad latch issues so the LC had me pump to get the little bit of colustrum and help my milk come in. You'll have it if you need it but won't have to lug it in to the hospital if it's not necessary.
Bring a pad and pen - otherwise, you will forget everything that might be important. With this, leave the baby book at home so it doesn't get damaged and write it notes when you get home.
I'm glad I had my laptop and camera. I did read magazines while I was in early labor but didn't look at them after the baby came.
Bring something comfortable to go home in.
For Mr.D, he brought a change of clothes, pjs, phone charger, pillow and snacks.
For Jack, I brought a gender neutral outfit, the car seat and a blanket (it was December). When the picture lady came, I did send Mr.D home for a couple other outfits.
Other tips:
Buy Colace/stool softener before you give birth and have it in the house. You will definitely need it. And don?t turn down the softeners/laxatives they give you at the hospital.
Stock up on essentials in the house ? food (non-perishable staples like pasta/sauce, cereal, etc) and bathroom products (contact solution, toilet paper, shampoo, etc). Then you don?t have to worry about running out of things early on and having to run out.
Eat a decent meal before going to the hospital. It might be a long time before they let you eat again. My last meal was a bagel on Saturday morning and I wasn?t allowed to eat again until Monday morning breakfast.
Take everything from the hospital, including baby swaddling blankets ? they are the perfect size. Take the pads and mesh underwear for you, and anything in the bassinet drawers for the baby.
Have the nurses show you how to properly swaddle.
Use the nurses and ask them all questions, even if you think the questions sound dumb. Don?t be afraid to ask them for help, especially with breastfeeding as most of them are certified.
Drink tons of fluids in the hospital and when you get home, even if you aren?t thirsty. You will need them to help your milk come in and not be so constipated.
Borrow ?The Happiest Baby on the Block? from the library. Absolute lifesaver.
Most importantly, enjoy your new little one!
#1 12.11.11
#2 10.23.13 EDD
What things did you find particularly useful that you packed or wish you had packed? outside of the usual camera and phone charger etc I really appreciated having some basic toiletries like deoderant and toothpaste and the like. I didnt need to look ravishing, but I needed to feel clean, and with all the post-delivery action in my nether regions, cleaning up my top half was the best it got!
Im also glad I had snacks for myself and DH. The food at Bryn Mawr was mediocre at best and they were very strict about DH not eating ANYTHING they had there--not just off my tray, which I understand since they monitor that, but they wouldnt give him a popsicle or juice from the maternity ward stash or anything.
What did you pack that was a waste of space? magazines/books/ other entertainment. who was I kidding? But I guess part of their uselessness was the timing of my labor--mostly overnight--so I was just trying to relax and sleep as much as possible (which was not much).
What did your SO need? as previously mentioned, snacks and also a small overnight bag with a comfy change of clothes and the most necessary toiletries. he spent a lot of time on his iphone but if he didnt have that, maybe a computer or something would have been useful. he went back and forth to our house for showers and some meals but it was nice to have the essentials there if something came up and he couldnt get away. also he may have brought his pillow but I cant remember. the hospital has them, but of course your one at home is more comfy and when youre faced with 3 hours of sleep all night, having the most comfy 3 hours possible is key!
Nursing essentials? nursing tanks and lanolin cream. LOTS of lanolin cream.
Clothing for yourself? I brought a couple nursing tanks and one or two of those typical zip up hoodie and loungey pant ensembles. I also brought junky flip flops for the shower/bathroom.
Besides a carseat and an outfit, do I need anything else for the kid? probably not. the hospital will give you all the necessities, so unless you want something cute like a headband or hat or onesies, you dont really NEED anything I did throw the fully packed diaper bag in the car (and left it there) just in case we had some "emergency" on the way home.
JenD reminded me of another unsolicited tip.
At least for vaginal deliveries, there is so much crotch care that goes on for a simple post partum trip to the bathroom to pee, that I was overwhelmed. When I got home I put all the essentials (pads, creams, extra underwear, perineum bottle etc) in a little rubbermaid tub next to the toilet so I had everything within reach.
I did this AFTER i forgot something several times and had to sheepishly ask DH to pass me odd things into the bathroom or roam around the bathroom with my pants around my ankles scouring drawers for wherever I stowed something. My only guests in the first few days were family so I figured they could handle seeing my hemorhoid cream in the bathroom without passing Martha Stewart home decor judgement.
This made me LOL, but it's so true and good advice!
Everyone is different but underwear was important for me. I was swollen more do after birth and the mesh didn't feel large enough and pulled on my staples. I was so glad I packed my maternity underwear.
Dry shampoo is pretty smart. Especially if you have a long labor.
Charging cords for phones etc.
Boopy was important to me too.
There's already a lot of good advice here. I overpacked and was too nervous to do anything while in labor. The TV was on for hours but I cannot recall what we watched.
If I had to pick my top recommendations, they would be:
1. Colace/stool softener. And pre-hospital, I'd say start your fiber regimen now. For me it was a Fiber One brownie and prunes every night.
2. Flip flops. I had no swelling before delivery but I had cankles for days after delivery and couldn't get my feet in the sneakers I brought.
I think you got lots of great advice already and some of mine doesn't really apply because I went early and my daughter was in the NICU the whole time I was there. Anything I had there was a mish mash of what I could remember to tell dh to bring back during his trips home to let the dogs out.
My top two would definitely be camera and a notepad and pen. Bring that camera in your purse with you everywhere. I'd start now. I went into the hospital straight from a standard checkup appointment and had my daughter that night. There would have been no pictures of my daughter's birth at all if it wasn't for my MIL having the presence of mind to run her camera over to the hospital at midnight on a Wednesday night. I am so thankful she did, phone pictures wouldn't have sufficed.
I had so many notes to write down the first day or two, as well as tracking breastfeeding/pumping, a notepad was magical. I don't know why they don't provide one. Most of my initial notes about E from the neonatologist in the NICU are written on the inside cover of an Entertainment Weekly magazine, and I referenced them for weeks.
I skimmed through the responses yesterday so forgive me if I'm duplicating answers. The above is holymotherofgod excellent advice.
My necessities were (and sorry for the randomness of the order):
-cameras/phones and chargers
-snacks (which we didn't have and I wish we had)
-MY OWN PILLOW!
-loose pajama pants
-nursing tanks
-a lightweight robe with pockets
-a million ponytail holders and headbands (I threw my hair in a ponytail wet every day after showering)
-Boppy
-empty diaper bag to take home the supplies they give you
-I brought two outfits for going home for myself, one with maternity clothes and one with regular clothes because I wasn't sure what shape my body was going to be in. I thought about a dress but didn't want to worry about shaving my legs. I'm so beyond lazy (plus bending was tough after a c/s)
-Clothes for baby: going home outfits in two sizes (we knew the gender so we had them washed and ready to go) and whatever little cutesy items for photos (I had a hat and a phillies t shirt)
-I brought make up and a blow dryer/straightener and used them for the day we came home. It was nice to feel human.
-shower shoes
Also, bear in mind that if you forget anything, that's what your DH is for. I sent mine home for something at some point. Good luck!!!